Monday, September 27, 2010

I have to admit that when I turned a corner at the quilting expo and saw a Jean Wells quilt, I immediately felt a rush of quilting bliss! If you are a fan of Jean Wells or have her book, Intuitive Color and Design, you know just what I'm talking about. If you don't own Intuitive Color and Design, then all I can say is, "Why not?!?" Jean is a designer, instructor, gardener, proprietress of The Stitchin' Post in Sisters, Oregon, founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and the author of over 27 books. Seeing her quilts featured was when the quilting expo really started getting exciting for me.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

I was pleasantly surprised by the more modern quilts and art quilts displayed at this year's show, and even more pleasantly surprised to run into two friends and Portland Modern Quilters, Tobey S. and Lisa P. Quilt shows are definitely more fun with friends!

Now, get a coffee, tea, or glass of wine, and sit back and enjoy some quilting eye candy:

France Fabric Foray with Fons and Friends by Bev Sheeley

Pattern: A Bouquet of Quilts by Rounds and Rymar

Primarily made with French fabrics from a 2007 trip on the Fons and Porter Tour de Provence. The border commemorates the French red poppy fields in bloom.

Anthony's City by Laura Newton
"Three Dimensional Design" by Katie Pasquini and "Optical Illusions for Quilters" by Karen Combs
Made for her son based on computer games and representing going down into an evil city.

The Cotton Club 19 year Anniversary Quilt by Cheryl Little
Quilted by Mom's Quilters and Karen Hanson
Made from 4" squares mailed to Cotton Club members from 10 counties the first 10 years of Boise Basin Quilters

History and Tradition by Judy Eselius, Quilted by Myrna Ficken

Venice at Carnival from the book, People of the Book

Piecing, machine applique, and fusing.

Optical Sun by Sharon Stern

Inspired by a visit to a quilt show in Tokyo.

Fracture by Bonnie M. Bucknam

One of a series of quilts evocative of landforms, based on the "V" or triangle.

View Toward Indio by Bonnie M. Bucknam

The Long and Short of It by Mary Kay Price
Machine pieced cottons, hand quilted with embroidery floss and perle cotton.

The Best of Show Award: Autumn Beauty by Barbara Shapel

The back of the quilt is the same scene at night and in reverse.

In the Playpen by Janice W. Hearn
Hand painted silk organza layered, fused, embellished with foil, decorative threads, and beads
and framed using Jean Wells' portrait method.
A small quilt.

Fall's Fire by Mary Arnold
Inspired by a careful arrangement of leaves that the quilt maker picked up off the street.

Details by Linda Reinhart
A small quilt

Mason's Guitars by Pat Busby
Made for a grandson's thirteenth birthday.

Me and My Shadow by Gail Stepanek and Ronda K. Beyer

Quilted by Ronda K. Beyer

Garden Scene by Mary Arnold
A small quilt, about the size of a piece of paper.

From Ugly Duckling to Beautiful Swan by Sally LeRoy
Pattern Design by Carol Bryert Fuller
Inspired by the book, The Book Thief

Converge by Mary Arnold

This quilt was made as part of the Hoffman Challenge. Unfortunately, the photo I took of the label came out blurred, so I can't make out the name of the quilt or it's maker. It stood out to me because of it's use of warmer colors with the cooler colors of the Hoffman Challenge fabric.

Stream of Consciousness Defies Logic by Debbie Gehman, Niskayuna, NY.
Also part of the Hoffman Challenge.

I was especially tempted by little fat eighths of fabric that looked like refined burlap but was very soft. It turned out to be raw silk! I can't believe I didn't buy any!

The Stitchin' Post (Sisters, Oregon).

I have some of these Valori Wells fabrics in a cooler color way, but now I'm drooling for these warmer colors!

Thanks for staying till the end, but I have a little secret.
My three favorite things about the show were quilts by Jean Wells, Ann Johnston, and Studio Art Quilts Associates, and I haven't even shown you those yet! Stay tuned for Parts Two, Three, and Four.

Dedication

This blog is dedicated to the memory of my mother. who sewed my school clothes, finished my sewing projects when I lost interest in them, gave me my first sewing machine, and got me started on needlepoint and embroidery. She would be so happy to know that I share her love of fabric and needlework, and whenever I finish a project, I feel her pleasure.

About Me

I have been studying and doing needlework of one kind or another my whole life (needlepoint, counted thread embroidery, and quilting).
The title of my blog is from this--
Sentiment to Send with Gifts: With Embroidery or Needlework of any Kind:
May all your years be glad and bright,
Deep filled with pleasant days,
And all your hours know sweet delight
Of love that stays and stays!
With each such wishes, true and kind,
Each Christmas (New Year) (Birthday) should begin,
While some of these must surely bind,
Because they've been sewed in!
--- The Delineator, 1910, Ethel Colson